PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Friday dismissed the opposition’s call for him to make provisions to ensure that regional and international observers are invited to monitor the general elections in Trinidad and Tobago next year.
Rowley told Parliament that notwithstanding the best efforts of the opposition United National Congress (UNC), “Trinidad and Tobago preserves its proud record in conducting free and fair elections.
“The elections that are anticipated to be held sometime in the not too distant future and can be held as late as November 2025 is not a matter that is before us at this time, notwithstanding the best efforts of our colleagues and in the event of any consideration for the invitation of personnel, agency from the outside that will come in the appropriate time, when it is reasonable to have that as a priority,” Rowley said.
Opposition legislator Dr. Roodal Moonilal then asked the prime minister if he agreed that inviting known regional and international observers would enhance the country’s democratic credentials.
“Not as much as the successful defense of accusations from the other side where since 2020, our colleagues owe the PNM (People’s National Movement) millions of dollars (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) and will not pay for matters in the court that they keep making allegations about election conduct and on every single instance, Madam Speaker, the elections are free and fair and have nothing to do with the fear they are trying to create about our election processes,” Rowley replied.
He told opposition legislators that if they are “genuinely interested in our image and reputation in elections, you will stop battering the process.”
Rowley also vehemently denied opposition claims that his administration had indicated before the last general elections in 2015 that it did not have funds to invite foreign observers to monitor the poll, which the PNM won by a 22-19 margin.
“This is untrue (and) for a member to get up in this House and fabricate such an untruth. Madam Speaker, at no time in this country’s history and record did the Trinidad and Tobago government ever say to anyone that we could not facilitate observers of our elections because we did not have any money …
“Untrue. This is typical of our colleagues on the other side,” Rowley added.
Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said she had written a 17-page letter to Prime Minister Rowley making a case for election observers.
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